Bolton firefighters set for May Bank Holiday weekend strikes

FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton are set to walk out again over the May Bank Holiday weekend, taking the number of strikes in their ongoing row with the government over pensions to 12.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in England and Wales will strike for a total of 22 hours over the weekend, angry at the government passing legislation to increase their retirement age from 55 to 60.

FBU Greater Manchester brigade secretary Gary Keary said this means firefighters who retire at 55 now stand to lose 45 per cent of their pension.

The FBU has accused the government of “burying its head in the sand” but fire minister Brandon Lewis has hit back, calling the strike action “unnecessary”.

Crews at Bolton Central, Bolton North, Farnworth and Horwich will leave their posts between noon and 5pm on May 2, 2pm and 2am on May 3, and for five hours from 10am on Bank Holiday Monday.

The FBU has also announced a ban on voluntary overtime between noon on May 2 and noon on May 9.

Mr Keary said: “The membership in Greater Manchester is strong and adamant that they want changes made to the government scheme.

“It would now be illegal for us to oppose the retirement age of 60 as a law has been passed but we are opposing the terms if you retire early.

“The last thing we want to do is strike but it comes to the point where there is little else available to us.

“The government are clearly not listening to any evidence that has been produced over the last three years.”

The most recent fire strike was on January 3 when crews walked out for the 9th time, with further action since put on hold as talks were held.

The FBU sent a letter to the government giving April 24 as a deadline by which it demanded to see an improved pensions offer for members.

When this passed, its executive unanimously agreed the 10th, 11th and 12th strike dates.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "After three years of negotiations and an intense four months presenting an indisputable, evidence-based case for the need to ensure a pension scheme that takes account the unique occupation of firefighting, the Government is still burying its head in the sand.”

Fire minister Mr Lewis said: "By calling unnecessary strike action, the FBU has shown it is not serious about finding a resolution to this dispute for its members and stands only to further damage firefighters' standing with the public.”

Similar contingency plans to the previous strikes have been put in place by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, with the public warned that it may not be possible to attend less serious callouts such as small rubbish fires and lift failures.

Comments

JustBecause
5:10pm Fri 25 Apr 14

Sack them all, there is a very long list of people who would kill for their jobs.

The days of nice easy jobs with a great pension are OVER, retire at 55 are these jokers serious, get in the real world and do what your paid to do, or if your not happy, find another job that sees you on for 4days off for 4days for about 30k a year.

Although that said, most of them do have other jobs.

Sack them all, there is a very long list of people who would kill for their jobs.
The days of nice easy jobs with a great pension are OVER, retire at 55 are these jokers serious, get in the real world and do what your paid to do, or if your not happy, find another job that sees you on for 4days off for 4days for about 30k a year.
Although that said, most of them do have other jobs.JustBecause

Sack them all, there is a very long list of people who would kill for their jobs.

The days of nice easy jobs with a great pension are OVER, retire at 55 are these jokers serious, get in the real world and do what your paid to do, or if your not happy, find another job that sees you on for 4days off for 4days for about 30k a year.

Although that said, most of them do have other jobs.

Score: 8

cranks
8:36pm Fri 25 Apr 14

This government just loves the fact it knows it can not lose in disputes like this due to the employees mainly being up too there necks in debt and will be feeling slightly dissapointed that the strike is for so little time.....bring it on say the posh boys and we will send you back with your tails between your legs. I can hardly think of a strike in the past 20 year that succeeded apart from when the fuel tanker drivers threatened to close the country down a number of years ago.....but a few hours here and there for the overpaid fire service staff who should realise some nhs nurses next year when new pension agreements come in will be 67 before they retire need too wake up.....and that is not only when on duty?

This government just loves the fact it knows it can not lose in disputes like this due to the employees mainly being up too there necks in debt and will be feeling slightly dissapointed that the strike is for so little time.....bring it on say the posh boys and we will send you back with your tails between your legs. I can hardly think of a strike in the past 20 year that succeeded apart from when the fuel tanker drivers threatened to close the country down a number of years ago.....but a few hours here and there for the overpaid fire service staff who should realise some nhs nurses next year when new pension agreements come in will be 67 before they retire need too wake up.....and that is not only when on duty?cranks

This government just loves the fact it knows it can not lose in disputes like this due to the employees mainly being up too there necks in debt and will be feeling slightly dissapointed that the strike is for so little time.....bring it on say the posh boys and we will send you back with your tails between your legs. I can hardly think of a strike in the past 20 year that succeeded apart from when the fuel tanker drivers threatened to close the country down a number of years ago.....but a few hours here and there for the overpaid fire service staff who should realise some nhs nurses next year when new pension agreements come in will be 67 before they retire need too wake up.....and that is not only when on duty?

Score: 6

thomas222
9:38pm Fri 25 Apr 14

My heart bleeds for them. Not!

My heart bleeds for them. Not!thomas222

My heart bleeds for them. Not!

Score: 5

CarlXVIGustaf
10:17pm Fri 25 Apr 14

Those snooker tables won't play themselves.

Those snooker tables won't play themselves.CarlXVIGustaf

Those snooker tables won't play themselves.

Score: 5

llcoolwayne
11:17am Sat 26 Apr 14

Yeh and they play pool all day and play darts, not to mention the free food they get and free pensions, oh and they are all overweight and unfit, In fact they do soooo little work they could work till they are 70.

Yeh and they play pool all day and play darts, not to mention the free food they get and free pensions, oh and they are all overweight and unfit, In fact they do soooo little work they could work till they are 70.llcoolwayne

Yeh and they play pool all day and play darts, not to mention the free food they get and free pensions, oh and they are all overweight and unfit, In fact they do soooo little work they could work till they are 70.

Score: 4

Gore Seer
5:10pm Sat 26 Apr 14

The Lower Ranks Retire At 45,And Officers 55, A Retired Fireman Told Me This A Few Years Ago, I Have No Idea What The Tax Free Golden Pot Is Worth, But There Will Be Some Good Discounts Which Also Come With Job?.

The Lower Ranks Retire At 45,And Officers 55, A Retired Fireman Told Me This A Few Years Ago, I Have No Idea What The Tax Free Golden Pot Is Worth, But There Will Be Some Good Discounts Which Also Come With Job?.Gore Seer

The Lower Ranks Retire At 45,And Officers 55, A Retired Fireman Told Me This A Few Years Ago, I Have No Idea What The Tax Free Golden Pot Is Worth, But There Will Be Some Good Discounts Which Also Come With Job?.

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